Thermodynamic rotary engine

Abstract

A thermodynamic rotary engine (2) comprising a positive displacement compressor (4), a combustion chamber (6) in which air from the compressor and fuel are burnt, and a rotatable cyclicly operating gas expander (10) for receiving combustion gas from the combustion chamber, the gas expander comprising a rotor (12) which is constructed for rotation within a cylinder (16), the cylinder being rotatable with the rotor in the same direction as the rotor, the cylinder and the rotor defining between them a variable volume expansion chamber (10) as they rotate during operation of the engine, the cylinder having a fixed inwardly projecting vane (22) which slidably engages in sealing means (24) in the rotor and so divides the variable volume expansion chamber into two portions, the sealing means being rotatable in the rotor so that the vane can remain engaged between the rotor and the cylinder in spite of differential rotational speeds between the rotor and the cylinder during each cycle of operation of the gas expander, and the gas expander having inlet port means (28, 30) and outlet port means (32).

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A rotary engine which operates on a single-pass, constant pressure, thermodynamic process, which rotary engine comprises a rotary positive-displacement compressor for supplying continuous compressed air, a combustion chamber which is for receiving the compressed air from the compressor and in which a fuel is burned at substantially constant pressure, a rotary gas expander through which the products of combustion from the combustion chamber are passed for the purpose of the generation of useful mechanical power, and mechanical connector means by which the expander drives the compressor, the expander comprising a rotor which is mounted for rotation in a cylinder which is itself rotatable about an axis displaced from that of the rotor so as to create between the cylinder and the rotor a chamber, the volume of which chamber varies with rotation of the cylinder and the rotor, and an inwardly projecting vane fixed to the cylinder and slidably engaging in a pivotable sealing means in the rotor so as to divide the chamber whilst permitting engagement between the rotor and the cylinder throughout 360° of rotation, and the expander having a fixed housing part containing inlet means for entry of the products of combustion to the chamber, which inlet means comprise a fixed first port in the housing part of the engine, which port is in communication with the combustion chamber, and a second port which rotates with and is located in one end face of the cylinder, and said expander also having outlet means for the products of combustion, which outlet means comprises an outlet port which communicates with the chamber and which is located in a circumferential face of the cylinder and rotates with the cylinder for the purpose of continuous passage of the exhaust gases to atmosphere. 
     
     
       2. An engine according to claim 1 in which the sealing means comprises two part-cylindrical seals which fit in a substantially cylindrical seating in the rotor, the vane being positioned between the two part-cylindrical seals. 
     
     
       3. An engine according to claim 1 having a single shaft upon which the cylinder is mounted, the rotor being eccentrically mounted relative to the shaft and the cylinder being concentrically mounted about the shaft. 
     
     
       4. An engine according to claim 1, 2 or 3 in which the rotor has a plurality of radially sliding seals around its periphery, the radially sliding seals effecting a sealing connection between the rotor and the cylinder during each cycle of operation of the gas expander over an arc in the region where the rotor and the cylinder are closest together. 
     
     
       5. An engine according to claim 1, 2 or 3 in which the rotor has a plurality of sealing elements inserted in side faces of the rotor effecting a seal between the side faces of the rotor and the sides of the cylinder. 
     
     
       6. An engine according to claim 1 in which the vane is mechanically secured to the cylinder. 
     
     
       7. An engine according to claim 1 in which the rotor and the cylinder are provided with a coolant liquid. 
     
     
       8. An engine according to claim 1 in which the positive displacement compressor is a sliding vane compressor. 
     
     
       9. An engine according to claim 1 in which the combustion chamber is internally thermally insulated. 
     
     
       10. An engine according to claim 1 in which the combustion chamber includes ignition means for initially igniting a fuel:air mixture in the combustion chamber, the engine being such that after the initial combustion by the ignition means the subsequent combustion is self-sustaining. 
     
     
       11. An engine according to claim 1 in which the combustion chamber contains a temperature sensing device. 
     
     
       12. An engine according to claim 1 in which the combustion chamber is in the form of a tube connecting the positive displacement compressor and the gas expander. 
     
     
       13. An engine according to claim 1 having a plurality of the gas expanders and arranged to operate in parallel mode with respect to gas flow from the combustion chamber, without gas reheat between expanders. 
     
     
       14. An engine according to claim 1 having a single gas expander.